Improvement in combined corsets and bustles



l; WATERMAN.

I Combined Corsets and Bustles. N0.l417,58l. Patented Feb.`17.1874.

UNITED STATES ATENT QFFICE.

JULIUS VATERMAN, OF NEW YORK., N. Y.

IMPRVEMENT IN VIIND OSETS AND BUSTLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. zij, dated February 17, 1874 applicaticn filed January 27, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

.Be it known that I, J ULrUs WATERMAN, of the city and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Bustles or Skirt-Supporter Corsets, of which the following is a specification:

Skirt-supporters have been made of a hoop projecting from the lower edge thereof, and this hoop has acted as a skirt-supporter, and been sustained by the fabric extending above the hoop and provided with busks or steels and clasps in front similar to those used in a corset, and in some cases the bodice or portion of the skirt-supporter above the hoop has been laced at the vert-ical opening 5 but in all the skirt-supporters of this character there is nothing below the hoop to form a support upon the hips of the wearer hence shoulderstraps are required.

Bustles have been made separately from the corset and attached by tapes ora belt around the waist.

My invention is made for connecting` a bustle with the ordinary corset, so that while the corset is not interfered with, but can be attached around the person or removed as usual, the bustle is always in position for supporting the dress in a graceful manner.

I apply to an ordinary corset a hoop connected at the ends thereof to the fabric of the cprset, instead of having a separate waistband, and the inner edge of the fabric of the bustle is sewed to the corset, and has an opening or gore or elastic in the middle portion adjacent to the laced opening in the back of the corset, so that said corset can be sufficiently loosened at the lacing for clasping it around the body, as usual, and bracestraps are connected to the fabric covering the hoop at suitable intervals, and to the fabric of the corset,

The halves c c of the corset are provided with steels and clasps at b, to unite the corset at the front, and with lacing at c, to unite the halves of the corset at the back and tighten the same after being clasped around the body. The hoop d is covered by and inclosed between two thicknesses of suitable fabric at c, and the ends of the hoop are connected to the corset, and the inner edges `of the fabric e are sewed to the corset. It is proper to omit the stitching at the pockets, so as to allow for inserting the bones. Near the middle of the fabric c, and adjacent to the laced opening in the back, there is an opening in said fabric c, or there may be a gore or gusset or elastic inserted at this point, so as t allow the corset to be expanded when the lacing is loosened as the corset is clasped around the body. From theV hoop or hoop-covering there are straps It extending to the fabric of the corset, and there the same are attached,` and in use they serve to support the weight of the dress resting upon the bustle, and the fastening of the dress around these braces h tightens them and throws the bustle up.

This construction is very durable and convenient, without being subject to the objections that eXist to the ordinary bustle or-the skirt-supporting waist, and the lower parts of the corset resting upon the hips below the bustle support said bustle without requiring shoulder-straps; and this is a great convenience, especially with those wearing low-necked dresses. The corset employed by me, being of the usual character, gives the proper support at both front and back below the bustle.

I claim as my invention- In combination with a corset, the bustle c d and straps 7L, when constructed and arranged substantially as shown and described.

Signed by me this 22d day of January, A. l). 1874.

JULIUs WATERMAN.

Witnesses:

GEO. T. PINCKNEY, CHAs. H. SMITH. 

